change locally and in Canada , jointly created by the Indigenous and settler communities of the Sunshine Coast . My aunt Nancy Budd-Denham co-founded syiyaya with formerly elected shíshálh Chief Garry Feschuk ,” says Marshall .
“ Our ancestors have been brewing this for a long while ,” says Ecko Aleck , the film ’ s composer , co-producer and co-writer . Aleck is building a multimedia repository called “ Legacy of the Land '' through her company Sacred Matriarch Creative , “ It journeys through history , storytelling , and offers teachings for the healing of all people and the planet .” ELDERS ’ PROJECT follows Aleck as she documents the life story of her father Terry Coyote Aleck , a gifted drummer and storyteller , and a residential school survivor who reported his abuser to the RCMP in 1987 . Legal proceedings resulted in a landmark case to hold the government and church liable for sexual abuse in the 1960s and 70s . He found healing through connecting with medicine people from around the world and is now passing along those teachings to his daughter . Aleck is also in the process of documenting the story of her great aunt , Elder N ’ kixw ’ stn , a sweat lodge leader , medicine woman , knowledge keeper and family history holder . She is a well-respected Vietnam war veteran and has outlived various illnesses by turning to traditional medicines and the land for healing .
Alfonso Salinas , the film ’ s co-producer and co-writer is a Capilano College film grad . As the Traditional Wellness Coordinator with the shíshálh Nation , Salinas has been overseeing the documentation of the ground penetration radar ( GPR ) scanning for unmarked residential school graves , and recording the stories of survivors through his company Mayukw Productions . “ My commitment to our healing will be done in different ways , and filmmaking is a key vehicle in capturing the truth before it ’ s gone ,” says Salinas . His vision for healing is to help initiate the return to sacred canoeing in the waters of the shíshálh Inlet . ELDERS ’ PROJECT follows Salinas as he works toward a monumental traditional feast and canoe ceremony with his Nation , supported by shíshálh Elder Barbara Higgins , an oral knowledge keeper , “ It ’ s an opportunity to gain our identity back ,” he says . Through Salinas , the film comes to know the teachings of his grandfather , hiwus Calvin Craigan , a shíshálh Elder , hereditary Chief , and the youngest Indigenous chief ever elected in Canada .
“ I ’ ve known since I was five that I am adopted , but it took until almost 50 to prove my Native status . As a child removed from my community and placed into foster care , I often wondered where I belonged and struggled to feel at home anywhere ,” says Charlene SanJenko , the film ’ s impact producer , co-executive producer , and co-writer . ELDERS ’ PROJECT follows SanJenko as she makes her first documentary , following the story of Chief Wayne Christian , a ‘ Sixties Scoop ’ survivor . In 1980 , as a young father and Chief , Christian led a march and demonstration known as the Indian Child Caravan , from Prince George to Vancouver to fight for Indigenous People ’ s rights to make their own decisions on behalf of their children .
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